IMPERIAL AIR SERVICE.

Taranaki Daily News, 24 November 1926, Page 8

IMPERIAL AIR SERVICE.

Just 22 years ago last August Bleriot flew across the English Channel and demonstrated that the “heavier than air” flying machine had become ail actual fact. There had been reports of the Wright Brothers’ success in America with such a machine, but to the average Britisher it needed the demonstration in hie own land to convince him that an aeroplane was something more than a reckless mechanical experiment. There have been historic flights since that of Bleriot, and among these the flight to Australia, organised successfully by Sir Ross Smith and hia brother, proved that, with sufficient organisation, there was nothing to prevent the linking up of [ the furthest outskirts of the Empire by air services. Sir Alan Cobham’s recent flight from London to Melbourne and back again with the same machine took the matter yet another stage. The latest phase is tlie construction of mammoth air liners, replete*with the comforts of a well found passenger steamer, to run to a regular schedule, and to carry passengers and mails. The outcome of the inspection of these preparations for Empire Air Services, so far as New Zealand is concerned, is that the Prime Minister (Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates), has been awakened to the opportunities for the speeding up of mail

services which the coming of the airship will bring. If the big liners are to extend their route from Australia to New Zealand there will be fairly heavy expenditure necessary for a mooring mast and other accommodation. At tho same time the benefit of avoiding a break of journey and tho use of smaller machines between Australia and New Zealand is so obvious as to make quite a considerable expenditure on a terminus in this-country a very good investment for the Dominion. In commerce, as in diplomacy, the rapidity and completness with which communications can bo maintained between varying interests helps largely to that coordination which means successful trading. Any practicable scheme of air fnail services is sure therefore to meet with general approval.